Unfortunately, it’s easy to put off tree planting. The full benefits take decades to arrive, and even when they do, the neighbours benefit almost as much as the landowner. So the City needs to take a role in ensuring that we’re planting enough trees.

I applaud the new one-tree rule for new developments. I think we can go further. The City should expand its annual tree-planting program and develop a communications strategy and small incentives to encourage homeowners and landowners to plant more and more diverse trees. Plus, low-impact design (LID) standards along roadways allows municipal trees to mature to their full size and age, while mitigating root damage to underground infrastructure.